Tyrann Mathieu's appearance at LSU's Pro Day on Wednesday was
palpable, especially for his former teammates. It was a reminder of something
that was missing from the 2012 Tigers.

The charm and swagger from the 2011 All-America cornerback
and Heisman Trophy finalist returned, even if only for a few passing hours. It filled
the LSU indoor practice facility with a familiar sound and feeling.

"We were in the locker room before all this happened,
standing around," former Tiger lineman Josh Dworaczyk said. "Tyrann cracked a
joke and it was good to hear his voice, good to have everybody
laughing and have him back around all these guys.

"We certainly missed him throughout the season. To have him
come back and represent himself and the school one more time was definitely
awesome."

Said former teammate safety Eric Reid:

"I missed being on the field with him. He did everything I
expected of him and better. He definitely can fly. Somebody is going to take a
chance on him and get a great player."

Mathieu was more representing himself as he and nearly 30
other former teammates gathered to try and launch their NFL careers by making
one last impression before NFL teams as a group. Scouts, coaches and team
officials attended the Pro Day to watch former Tigers run, jump and lift.

Mathieu didn't do any of that. Feeling his combine
performance was enough, he concentrated on defensive back-specific drills,
lining up next to Eric Reid and Tharold Simon, with whom he shared the
secondary for two seasons. There was a small dash of flair as he worked out in
a pair of silver and neon yellow Nike cleats.

The trick for him now is to convince an NFL team that his
off-field troubles are behind him after being kicked off the team last August,
and two months later being arrested for simple possession of marijuana, a
charge that is pending.

He's undergone rehab and counseling while living in Florida
and working out with Patrick Peterson Sr. Most experts see him as a third or fourth-round
pick, even with his transgressions.

"I think I'm doing a pretty good job with the way I'm carrying myself at the
combine and (with how) Pro Day just went," Mathieu told a swarm of media after his
workout. "We're looking forward to the future and being a part of somebody's
team.

"It's extremely exciting. It's humbling, too, because of the
things I went through the past year. I'm ready for it to be over. I know I made
some mistakes. When it comes to football I'm a play-maker and a guy who wants to
play hard for the teammates."

In that respect, he has Coach Les Miles in his corner. Miles
watched Mathieu make one big play after another in his two seasons, leaving LSU
as the career leader in forced fumbles and tied for the record in recoveries.

When NFL teams want to know his opinion of his former star
defensive player who became one the most popular college players in the nation
during LSU's 13-1 season, Miles gives him an A rating.

"I tell them he's a great teammate, a big-time player,"
Miles said. "He will commit to whatever your culture is and doing it your way.
He will have a natural intuitive sense for big plays. He'll make somebody's NFL roster a lot better."

The Saints possibly? Mathieu said he has spoken with the
organization and thinks newly hired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is a "cool
guy."

When asked how his fall was without football he responded,
"miserable, depressing. I didn't have football. It was like I was stuck with a
person (himself) and at the time I
didn't understand the person, kind of a conflict between me and this other
person.

"We're still working on him. Every day is a process, trying
to get stronger and stronger. I'm going on five months (off drugs) right now.
It's been a process, trying to embrace it. I reach out for help as much as I
can."

Mathieu said he was happy that he was fluid and with the way
he got in and out of his breaks. He was disappointed that he dropped one pass.
But lining up with his teammates one more time was priceless.

"It was great being back with my teammates one more time," he said. "That
was the biggest thing today."